Therapeutic bath fluid circulating apparatus



July 10, 1951 G. A. SCHROETER THERAPEUTIC BATH FLUID CIRCULATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 28, 1946 INVENTOR &50265 A Sc/eoE-E BY %mama-Ma ATTORNEY July 10, 1951 G. A. SCHROETER & 5

THERAPEUTIC BATH FLUID CIRCULATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1946 (Sheets-Sheet 3 650365 /4 .Sa/ece T'a-e ATTORNEY July 10, 1951 G. A. SCHROETER THERAPEUTIC BATH FLUID CIRCULATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 28, 1946 INVENTOR 650265 A .Sa/3057755 ATTORNEY PatenteclJuly 10, 1951 THERAPEUTIC BATH FLUID CIRCULATING APPARATUS George A. Schroeter, Briarclif Manor, N. Y. Application December 28, 1946, Serial No. '718,979

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a fluid circulating apparatus or devioe for producing relatively 'gentle massaging effects in therapeutic baths.

During relatively recent years there has been increased recognition given to the healing properties of therapeutic baths. such baths have proven to be particularly eficacious where liquid is maintained in circulation and caused to fiow over the body of a patient submerged in the bath; this flow provides 'a most desirable comparatively gentle massaging effect.

While the desirability of providing the above noted massaging circulation has been generally appreciated the actual production of circulation in a bath has offered difiiculties. With the large fixedly installed baths of hospitals and other institutions the circulating mechanism has frequently been installed for use only with a particular bath. such apparatus or installations are erected in fixed position or are so unwieldy as to require specially constructed mounting means, brackets, tracks, or the like. They are not generally satisfactory for use in homes or small institutions. Other forms of apparatus have been so heavy or unwieldy that persons who would normally desire them have been deterred from their use. Still other forms of apparatus have extremely limited fields of use or have not resulted in producing an emcient massa'ging current or stream.

The present invention aims to overcome the above and other difficulties or disadvantages by providing a new and improved apparatus for creating a circulating stream or ow of fiuids in a therapeutic or hydrotherapy bath. The invention further contemplates the provision of a relatively compact fluid circulating apparatus which may be ofiered to home owners for use in an ordinary home bath tub.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fluid circulating apparatus or device.

Another object of the nvention is to provide a new and improved fluid circulating devioe which may be readily used with an ordinary home type of bath tub.

Another object of the inven'tion is to provide a new and improved fluid circulating devioe which may be readily moved to difierent positions for use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid circulating devioe adapted to create an improved fiow of liquid and air or gas.

Other and further objects of the invention will 2 be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the aocompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the devioe or apparatus of Fig. 1 in use with a bath tub;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through 'the devioe or apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a horizontal View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred em bodiment with certain parts removed; j

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, partly broken away, showing a preferred form of a fluid circulating means;

Fig. '7 is an exploded perspeotive view showing certain parts illustrated in Fi'g. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the devioe illustrated in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a view showing the interior of the part illustrated in Fig. 8.

Described generally the present devioe or apparatus comprises (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) a wheeled base l upon which is mounted a drive motor H for actuating a fluid circulating head 3 carried adjacent one end of a movably mounted arm 6. The arm 6 may be positioned along the top of a housing !28 when the devioe is not being used and for use may be lifted, swung laterally, and lowered so that the fluid circulating part of the head 3 projects into a body of liquid in a tub l.

In Fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown with the water circulating head and other Operating parts in storage or non-use position.

In Fig. 2 the apparatus or devioe is shown with a water circulating head 3 extending into the interior of a bath tub and beneath a surface of a Volume of water for creating a circulating stream of fluid. It will be noted that the apparatus is positioned closely adjaoent a side wall of the bath tub l with the laterally extending arm 6 projecting over the rim of the tub. As will be brought out hereinafter, it is not necessary toprovide securing elamps or rails, or to lift any heavy weights in connection with shifting the device from a position of non-use illustrated in Fig. 1 to a position of use shown in Fig. 2.

The vertical cross section through the present apparatus or device shown in Fig. 3 brings out the relationship of the various parts with respect to each other as they exist in the position shown in Fig. 1. The perspective view of Fig. shows certain of the parts in different relationship, certain of the members or parts being removed for purposes of clarity in connection with the description. As shown in these two figures the parts are mounted upon a base or platform I carried by rollers or casters 2 which are Secured to the lower part of the base and normally hidden from View by a downwardly extending iange 4 of the platform. By mounting the parts upon this wheeled base the machine or apparatus which is constructed upon the base may be easily moved about.

Secured to the upper surface of the base i adjacent one end thereof by bolts [2 is an upwardly extending mounting bracket 5 adapted to support, by means of bolts 8 and 9 and rubber or other silencing pads !0, an electric motor ll. The motor l l itself may be carried by a substantially U-shaped mounting member 13, with the motor shaft 14 in vertically disposed position. The shaft l4 is preferably connected with a clutch element 16 through an aligning connection or coupling IT and shaft 19, the shaft i!) being rotatably maintained in position by a bushing 25 carried adjacent one end of a bracket 2l Secured by bolts 22 to the upper end of the vertically disposed mounting bracket 5. A complementary clutch element 23 which co-operates with the clutch element IS will be later described in connection with the fluid circulating head 3.

The laterally extending arm 5 which supports the circulating head 3 adjacent its outer end is preferably adjustably or movably supported on horizontal bracket or plate member 24 having spaced securing lugs 25 at one end thereof to which are attached upright, movable standard members 2'| The standard members 21 extend through bushings or guides 28 bolted to the upper end of the vertically disposed mounting bracket 5. The lower ends of the spaced vertical standards 21 are Secured to a cross bar 28 and each of the lugs 28 adjacent the upper part of the mounting bracket 5 is shown connected by a cross portion 31. The cross bars or portions 28 and 3! are preferably pivotally connected to hnged link members 34 and 35, which are normally urged toward a collapsed or folded position (Fig. 5) by a tension spring 31. The normal tendency of this spring 31 is to urge or pull the movable lower end of member 34 toward the upper end of spaced members 35, the members pivoting around the pin 32, and to thus elevate the lower ends of the spaced standards 21. The force or tension of the spring 31 is preferably such, however, that its efiect is normally insufficient to elevate the standards and parts supported on the horizontal bracket 24, without the application of some relatiVely small additional lifting force being applied to the laterally extending arm 5.

The lateral arm 6 may be retained in assembled relationship with the bracket 24 by a shait 38 which extends through apertures and a lining bushing 40 of the arm 5 and bracket 24, and has an enlarged shoulder 4l on the upper clutch element 23. The upper end of the shaft 38 is shown provided with a bearing or Washer member 42, keyed spur gear 45, keyed pulley or wheel 43, all retained in operative position on the shaft 38 by a,

nut 44. The securing nut 44 is preferably so positioned as to allow horizontal movement of the laterally extending arm 6 with respect to the bracket 24 over which it is assembled. This construction facilitates movement of the arm 5 and circulating head 3 toward the right or the left upon elevation of the arm 5 and circulating head 3 from the inoperative position and movement to a position for use.

A latch member or pin 45 may be utilized to locate the laterally extending arm 5 in correct right, left or Secured positions. A spring 41 normally urges the pin 45 downwardly into any one of a plurality of recesses 49 and the pin may be pulled upwardly in opposition to the spring 41 by a ring or extension 55.

The fluid circulating head or means 3 is shown generally at the right side of Fig. 3 and in greater detail in Figs. 6 through 9. Preferably it comprises a rotatable, vertically positioned shaft 52 having a pulley or belt wheel 53 Secured adjacent the upper part thereof adapted to receive the drive belt 55, the latter being driven by the pulley or wheel 43 Secured to the upper end of the motor shaft 38. When the motor l l is in operation the shait 33 is eectve to rotate the vertical shat 52 through the belt wheels 43 and 53 and the connecting belt 55.

The upright shaft 52 is preferably hollow, for a purpose which will be hereinafter brought out, and has an impeller 55 Secured to the lower part thereof. The impeller 55 is shown provided with substantially raclially extending slots or openings 51 spaced circumferentially along an upwardly extending flange 58 of its cover. A fianged member 59 having radially extendng slots Gi is adapted to extend into a recessed portion se with the apertured central hub 62 thereof extending upwardly through an aperture 54 in a plate meniber 55, the hub 52 being force-fitted or otherwise suitably retained by a set screw or the like in the lower open end of the upright shaft 52. The plate member 55 is preferably Secured to the cover of the impeller 55 by screws or bolts (not shown) which extend through apertures 61 of the plate 55 and apertures 68 of the impeller 55. With this Construction the hollow interior passageway or Conduit 53 of the vertical shaft 52 connects with the Volume surrounding the impeller through the opening 56 and slots 5! of the fiangecl member 55 and radially extencling slots 5'1' of the impeller ridge 58. This construction facilitates passage of air from the atmosphere to a position adjacent the impeller, as will be more clearly brought out hereinaiter.

A housing 'm having inlet openings il adjacent the lower part thereof and a discharge opening 12 in its wall extends around the impeller and forms means for conveying fluids to the impeller and for directing the flow thereof during impeller rotation. The housing 'm is preferably connected with the lower end of a sleeve member 13 which extends upwardly about the vertical shaft 52 and the sleeve 13 has a lug ''5 extending laterally from its upper end operatively connected with means for selectively determining the position of the discharge opening 72 of the housing 70.

Control of the quantity of liquid entering the housing 'w may be obtained by an apertured plate member ?5 rotatably connected by a bushing 'Il with an apertured plate 'Hi at the lower part of the housing ?G and having a lug ie at one side thereof connecting with a oontrolling arm 3!) of a tubular sleeve member 84 having a knurled V adjusting ridge 82 at the upper part thereof.

When the adjusting ridge 82 is rotated with respect to the vertical shaft 52 the control arm 88 is eITective to rotate the apertured lower plate member ?E with. respect to the opening 'H in the apertured plate member 'M held by screws at 'the lower part of the housing Te, to thus vary the effective sizes of the openings li through which liquid passes into the housing i and to the impeller 55; In this manner the quantity of liquid admitted to and discharged by the impeller 55, through the discharge opening '12, may be selec tively controlled.

When the upright or vertical shaft 52 is ro tated by the motor ll, iiquid will be drawn or sucked into the housing i@ through the openings 'il and discharged through the opening 52; simultaneously air will be drawn through the opening 83 in the plate member S i shown extending over the upper end of the bushing 85 that rotatably holds the upper end of the vertical shaft 52. Air drawn in through this opening 83 pastes downwardly through the conduit or passageway 53 of the vertical shait 52, through the opening ES of the flanged member outwardly through the radial Slots ji of this latter flanged member, through the radially extending slots 51 of the ridge 58 on the impeller 55, and into the interior of the housing ii The stream of air entering the housing from a downward direction and the stream of liquid which enters the housing upwardly through the inlet apertures 'El of the housing intermix thoroughly due to the turbulence created by the rapid rotation of the impeller The intimately or thoroughly intermixed and agitated stream of liquid and air is ejected through the discharge opening i?. Thiis the fluid circulating means 3 is effective to create a thoroughly intermixed or agitated stream of air and Water and to guide it in the direction indicated by the particular position of the dis charge opening '52.

While the direction of the stream discharged through opening ?2 may be selected manually, it is preferable to automatically vary the direction of a nassaging stream at periodic intervals. This feature is most desirable for it insures against accidents a person slipping in the bath tub While attempting to adjust the device and also effects Creation of an optimum type of massaging stream in that the cireuiating stream is caused to reach p'actcally every ::art of the body of an individual 'using the device in a hydrotherapy bath.

One form of mechanism for automatically achieving periodic variation in the direction of the massaging stream is shown more particularly in 3 and e. As shown, 'an extension lug ?5 at the upper end of the housing sleeve 73 is connected with the gear 45 on the motor driven shaft Sii through the intermediation of meshing gear-s 85, SS?, S, and si, and by spring 32 connected at one end thereof with the gear %I and at the other end thereof with a pivoted lever S i. One end of the lever 9:2 is pivotally secured to the lower base of the laterally extending arm {E by a pin and the other end has a pin 9'! with a roller 9% extending into a slot or aperture 98 of 'the extension lug 75 on the housing sleeve '13.

As the motor driven shait 38 rotates and turns the intermeshing gears, the gear Qi and spring 52 pivotally secured thereto tend to pull the pivoted lever i i first 'toward one side of the gear El and then to the other side thereoi, depending upon the particular momentary position of,

the pin 93 which secures the spring to the gear 6 QI When the bar 94 is against the stop 99 in the position shown in Fig. i, the lever 94 and pin 51 at the end thereof are effective to hold the extension lug 75 in the position shown in this figure. When the gear &I has rotated to a position Wherein the pin 93 is at approximately a diametrically opposite part of the gear iii, the spring 92 tends to pull or snap the lever 94 around its pin 95 to the other side of the arm 6 and against the stop member lili?. This also moves the extension lug '55 to the same side of the arm 6 and turns the sleeve 73 and housing iii which is connected with it; turning the housing to a new position means that the discharge opening 12 thereof will 'oe located in a different position and that the stream ejected through the discharge opening will be guided in a different direction. The outer tubular sleeve 8! which moves the aperture controllng disk rotates with the housing sleeve '13 and thus the selected size of inlet opening 'l is maintained until such time as the flange 82 is gripped and turned with sufficient force to select a difierent size of inlet opening 'i i.

he automatic oscillating mechanism described above is shown for illustrative purposes and other suitable types may be utilized.

Preferably an outer sheet metal casing 42@ extends around the working parts of the present apparatus or device and prevents dust, dirt and the like from acoumulating on Operating parts and interferin With their operation. In addition. the casing minimizes the possibility of a person being injured by moving parts and contributes toward presenting a neat and pleasing appearance.

The motor l i may be connected by a cable me and plug H I to some suitable source of power. Preferably the cable is operatively connected in any known and suitable manner through an "ofi-on" switch GM, speed control box or mechanism ECG, and selectively adjustable timing'de- Vice !03.

A plurality of vacuum or suction cups l !E may be provided at the sides of the sheet metal casing !20 to facilitate retaining the apparatus in desired position against the side of a bath tub. Any number of suction cups may be utilized and they are preferably located at each side of the casing !23 so that either side may be pressed against the wall of a tub and the cups Will tend to maintain it in position.

In order to put the present device or apparatus into operation it is merely necessary to press the plug lil into a power socket, set the pointer of the timing device His, adjust the speed control box !06, lift upwardly on the handle 2 of the' laterally extending arm (i to elevate the circulating head 3 out of the casing 123, and turn the arm to a position extending over the side of a bath tub (Fig. 2). The laterally extending arm may then be lowered so that the fluid circulating means 3 extends downwardly into and beneath the surface of water in the tub. When the laterally extending arm 6 is lifted upwardly the complementary clutch elements !6 and 23 readily separate from each other and as the arm is lowered into Operating position the clutch elements approach each other and their teeth pivoted link members 34 and 35 and the lifting spring 31. Bath temperature may be indicated by a thermometer 19.

The taper pin or latching means comprised of the pin 46, spring 47, ring member 50 and recesses 49 are effective to retain the laterally extending arm in desired position.

The position of the motor H adjacent the lower part of the mechanism and substantially on the base l p'oduces an apparatus having a low center of gravity and militates against accidental upsetting thereof.

When the control switch !04 is turned to the on position the motor ll is efiective to drive the impeller 56 of the fluid circulating means 3 through the intermediation of coupling member il, shaft (9, meshing clutch elements !6 and 23, shaft 38, pulley wheel 13, belt 55, pulley wheel 53, vertical shaft' 52, flanged member 53 and plate member 65. Liquid is drawn inwardly through the iniet openings 'H at the lower part of the impeller housing 10. The sizes of the inlet openings ll may be adjustably controlled by the movable plate member 76, and this adjustment may be made through the knurled boss 82 positioned above the surface of the Water in the tub. Air drawn inwardly through the aperture 83, shaft conduit 53, Conduit 66 and radial openings SI and 51 is thoroughly intermixed with iiquid drawn into the housing 'm through the inlet openings ll. The air and water approach each other from substantialiy opposing directions and tend to facilitate thorough intermixing or agitation of these two uids while within the housing 10. The intermixed air and liquid are ejected through the discharge opening 72, the position of which may be automatically varied by the osciilating mechanism described more particularly in connection with Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved fluid circulating means which is compact, of relatively light Construction, and which may be readily used in normal homes for the production of beneficial massaging currents in connection with therapeutic or hydrotherapy baths. The apparatus may be readily wheeled into and out of positions of use and the relatively low center of gravity minimizes the possibility of accidentally overturning the apparatus.

An improved massaging stream of liquid and air is provided by the thorough intermixture of the two fluids within the housing and subsequent discharge thereof. The particular direction given to the discharge stream may be automatically varied to create an optimum flow of the stream over all parts of the body of an individual using the present apparatus with a bath.

As various changes may be made in the form, Construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacricing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a therapeutic bath apparatus, the combination d'f a generally horizontal platform, roller members supporting said platform at locations spaced horizontaily from each other for facilitating free movement of the platform over a floor, walls extending upwardly from peripheral portions of said platform, supporting means carried by and extending upwardly from said platform,

an arm adapted to overlie an opening provided by said upwardly extending walls and operatively connected with and supported by said supporting means, fiuid circulating means depending from said. arm, said arm being vertically and laterally movable for selective positioning of said fluid circulating means within said walls and laterally beyond them, and a drive motor carried by said apparatus below said arm and within said upwardly extending walls at a location spaced from said depending fluid circulating means and operatively connected therewith for actuation thereof.

2. In a therapeutic bath apparatus, the combination of a generally horizontal platform, rollers supporting said platform at locations spaced horizontaliy from each other for facilitating movement of the platform over a floor, supporting means carried by and extending upwardly from said platform, a laterally swingable arm operatively connected with and supported by said supporting means, fluid circulating means depending from said arm, a drive motor carried by said apparatus at a location spaced from said depending fluid circulating means and operatively connected therewith for actuation thereof, and means supported on said arm and operatively connected with said drive motor and with a portion of said fluid circulating means for periodicaliy moving a portion of said fluid circulating means, while said arm remains stationary, and thereby changing the direction of a fluid stream caused by said uid circulating means without swinging said arm.

3. A device of the class described comprising, a base, rollers supporting said base, a motor adjacent one end of said base, an arm extending generally horizontally from said motor, fiuid circuiating means including a housing rotatably carried by the arm at a location spaced horizontally from said motor, said circulating means being actuated by said motor, and means carried by said arm and connected with said housing and with said motor for periodically rotating said housing with respect to the arm and changing the direction of motion of a fluid stream set in motion by said fluid circulating means.

4. A device of the class described comprising, a base, rollers supporting said base for movement thereof freely over a floor, a motor, an outwardly extending arm, fluid circulating means including a portion oscillatable with respect to and carried by said arm at a position spaced laterally from said motor and connected with and driven by the motor, a bar-like member movably mounted on said arin and operatively connected with said oscillatable portion of the circulating means, and means connecting said movable bar-- like member With said motor for periodically moving said bar-like member with respect to said arm and thereby moving said osciilatable portion of the circulating means to change the direction of motion of a fluid stream without moving said arm.

5. A device of the class described comprising a platform, rollers supporting said device at spaced locations for free movement of the device over a floor, a Vertically movable and horizon taliy swingable arm carrying fluid circulating means and normally occupying a lowered position with respect to said platform, a drive motor for actuating said fluid circulating means, a plurality of upright members for guiding said arm during said vertical movement, and resilient means operatively connected with a lower portion of at least one of said upright members for urging them and said arm upwardly during elevation thereof, said resilient means being of such capacity that said arm normally occupies said lowered position.

6. A device of the class described comprising a base, a drive motor, a generally horizontally' extending vertically movable and laterally Swingable arm carrying fluid circulating means adjacent one end thereof and carrying drive motor connecting means, means for normally supporting said arm at a lowered position with respect to said base, and means including a pair of vertically movable guide rods and a spring operatively connected with a portion of the supporting means and operatively connected with said arin and permitting said arm to normally remain at said lowered position but urging said arm upwardly away from said lowered position upon elevation thereof to minimize the effective weight of said arm and the means carried thereby.

7. A device of the class described comprising a base, a drive motor, a substantially horizontally extending vertically movable arm carrying fluid circulating means adjacent one end thereof and drive motor connecting means adjacent another end thereof, means including a plurality of horizontally spaced upright members adapted to guide said arm during vertical movement thereof, means interconnecting said upright members, and resilient counter-balancing means operatively connecting an extension of the base with said interconnecting means and urging said upright members and said arm upwardly during elevation thereof to minimize the efiective weight of said arm and the fluid circulating means carried thereby.

8. A therapeutic bath device of the class described comprising a base, a Vertically movable' arm above said base horizontally swingable with respect to an arm supporting member, fluid circulating means carried by said arm, a drive motor carried by said device at a location spaced horizontally from said fluid circulating means, means for connecting the fluid circulating means with the drive motor, an arm supporting member, means operatively connecting said arm with said supporting member for vertical movement of the latter member with the arm, and means including a plurality of upright members operatively connected with said arm supporting member at spaced locations for guiding said supporting member during vertical movement and for retaining said arm supporting member against horizontal movement with said arm.

9. A device for use in providing a directed stream of liquid in bathtubs and the like, comprising a wheeled base structure adapted to be rolled along a floor and to be positioned alongside a bathtub, a drive motor carried by the device, an arm carried by the base structure and `overlying said base structure and drive motor and movable vertically away from and toward the base structure, said arm being horizontally swingable between a retracted position in which all of the arm directly overlies the base structure and an extended position in which the arm projects outwardly beyond the base structure and may overlie a portion of a bathtub, a member depending a fixed distance below said arm from a portion thereof which is extendible beyond the base structure, means carried by a lower part of said member for providing a directed stream in a liquid in a tub into which said member extends, a drive connection between said means and drive motor, and guide means oooperating with said arm and base structure for maintainng said arm horizontal during said movements thereof,

10. A device for use in providing a directed stream of liquid in bathtubs and the like, comprsing a wheeled base structure having a length greater than the width thereof adapted to be rolled along a floor and to be positioned alongside a bathtub, a drive motor carried by the device adjacent one end of said base structure, an arm having a length about equal to that of the base structure carried by the base structure and overlying said base structure and drive motor and movable vertically away from and toward the base structure, said arm being horizontally swingable between a retracted position in which all of the arm directly overlies and covers the major area of the base structure and an extended position in which the arm projects outwardly beyond the base structure and may overlie a portion of a bathtub, a member depending a fixed distance below said arm from a portion thereof which is extendible beyond the base structure, means carried by a lower part of said member for providing a directed stream in a liquid in a tub into which said member extends, a drive connection between said means and drive motor, and guide means cooperating with said arm and base structure for maintaining said arm horizontal during said movements thereof.

GEORGE A. SCHROETER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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